[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56164-56165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28183]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for Emerald Creek Garnet Company, Benewah and Shoshone Counties, Idaho

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Emerald Creek Garnet Company is proposing to initiate dredge 
mining of alluvial garnet deposits on an approximately 416 acre site 
along the St. Maries River in Benewah and Shoshone Counties, Idaho. The 
site contains approximately 160 acres of wetlands which will be 
temporarily filled by construction of isolation berms, topsoil and 
overburden stockpiles, work pads, and other discharges of dredged and 
fill material. The entire site is proposed to be mined over a period of 
up to 25 years, with reclamation of mined properties occurring each 
year. Reclamation would consist of returning the land to pre-minig 
contours and reestablishing hydrology and plant communities appropriate 
to site conditions. The total acreage proposed for mining and 
reclamation each year would not exceed 16 acres. Temporary or permanent 
discharges of fill material into wetlands will require a Department of 
the Army Permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Army 
corps of Engineers is the lead Federal agency.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and the Draft EIS can be answered by Mr. Michael T. Doherty, Coeur 
d'Alene Regulatory Office, Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineerrs, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815-8363, telephone 208-765-7237.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Proposed Action: Emerald Creek Garnet Company is proposing to 
initiate placer mining of alluvial garnet deposits along the St. Maries 
River in portions of Sections 5, 8, 9, 15, and 16, township 43 North, 
Range 1 East, Boise Meridian, Shoshone and Benewah Counties, Idaho. the 
project extends from just upstream of the confluence of Emerald Creek 
and the St. Maries River, 3.2 miles downstream to just above the 
confluence of Carpenter Creek and the St. Maries River. The purpose of 
the project is to extract industrial garnet to meet worldwide market 
demand. Mining would be conducted incrementally over a period of up to 
25 years. The acreage of area to be mined each year would depend on the 
ability of the company to assure adequate environmental protection and 
reclamation on a yearly basis as well as market demand for industrial 
garnet products. Reclamation would immediately follow mining, and would 
be monitored for a period of five years to assure that the annually 
mined properties meet or exceed pre-project environmental value.
    2. Alternatives: Because garnet deposits are located in specific 
water-deposited areas, alternative locations to be mined will not be 
examined. The alternatives analysis will focus on timing of mining 
activities, type of mining method, and duration of mining in any given 
year. Seven alternatives will be considered. They include:
    (1) wet panel mining all year long.
    (2) wet and dry panel mining all year long.
    (3) wet panel mining 8 months (approximately March through 
November).
    (4) wet and dry panel mining 8 months (approximately march through 
November).
    (5) dry panel mining all year long.

[[Page 56165]]

    (6) dry panel mining 8 months (approximately March through 
November).
    (7) no action.
    3. Scoping and Public Involvement: The scoping process will 
commence in late October 1998 with the issuance of a Scoping Notice. 
Federal, state and local agencies, Indian tribes, and interested 
organizations and individuals will be asked to comment on the 
significant issues relating to the potential effects of the 
alternatives. A formal public scoping meeting is planned for the 
evening of November 5, 1998 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. An informal open-
house will be held the same day in Fernwood, Idaho at Emerald Creek 
Mining Company headquarters.
    Potentially significant issues to be addressed in detail include 
the effects of the project on wetlands, wildlife and fish, endangered 
species, cultural resources, recreation, traffic, hazardous materials 
and waste, and any other issues revealed during the scoping process.
    The Draft EIS will be prepared concurrently with other 
environmental compliance requirements, including the Endangered Species 
Act and the national Historic Preservation Act. The Corps intends to 
integrate the consultation procedures pursuant to these other statutes 
with the EIS. The corps and the applicant have begun consultation with 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered 
Species Act.
    The proposed project also requires a placer mining permit from the 
State of Idaho Department of Lands as well as a Section 401 Water 
Quality Certification from the State of Idaho Division of Environmental 
Quality.
    4. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is scheduled for 
release in April 1999.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-28183 Filed 10-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GC-M